Illustration of InSight Cruise Stage Separation

October 23, 2018

This illustration shows NASA’s InSight lander separating from its cruise stage as it prepares to enter Mars’ atmosphere. The InSight lander is on the right, tucked inside a protective heat shield and back shell. The cruise stage with solar panels is on the left.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, manages the InSight Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space built and tested the spacecraft, including its cruise stage and lander, and supports spacecraft operations for the mission. InSight is part of NASA’s Discovery Program, which is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.